George Washington University Paralegal Studies Program

Recently, Virtual Paralegal (VPL) spoke with Shiromi Praba of George Washington University for some comprehensive insight concerning their Master of Paralegal Studies Program. In our conversation, Ms. Praba was able to render an overview about the main features of their program.

It is the goal of GWU’s paralegal program to prepare students entering the paralegal profession through rigorous coursework. Courses are instructed by experienced attorneys that teach using a balance of philosophical study and practical application of law. In order to accommodate busy schedules, GWU’s program utilizes a combination of traditional classroom teaching and modern online instruction. Also, the program is intertwined with George Washington’s Law School, giving enrolled students access to seminars, workshops, clinics, and legal research at the Burns Law Library.

There are two paths of enrollment into GWU’s paralegal program. The first offers students a chance to enroll in an 8-month graduate certificate program. Students in the 8-month program must complete at total of 18 credit hours; including 12-core credit hours. They also offer a 15-month master’s degree program in which students must complete a requisite of 32 credit hours for completion. There also is an Advanced Standing Request, which allows students who already have paralegal certifications to forgo the 12-core credit hours; earning the master’s in only 12-months. The 8-month and 15-month programs are based on a schedule of only two evenings per week; making it convenient for working professionals.

GWU’s enrollment prerequisites include: a Bachelor Degree from an accredited university with a GPA of 3.0 or better, a statement of purpose (250-500 words), 2 letters of Recommendation, resume, and official sealed transcripts from previous schools.

VPL learned that George Washington is one of the most prestigious universities for producing legal professionals. The university as a whole is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The paralegal program has earned membership into several organizations including the American Association for Paralegal Education, The International Paralegal Management and Lambda Epsilon Chi National Paralegal Honor Society.

The information below was provided about the program’s fees along with website links for further assistance.

Can you make one correction? You begin the 4th sentence with “GMU”; the correct acronym is “GW” or “GWU.” “GMU” is George Mason University, a well-respected institution in the nearby DC/VA metro area. 🙂